Sharon Inone wins the 2026 Queen Elizabeth II Young Leaders Award for climate-smart community work in Temotu.
A young Solomon Islander, Ms Sharon Inone, has won a prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Young Leaders Award from the UK. Ms Inone was presented the award yesterday by British High Commissioner, Hi Excellency Paul Turner.
The Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) was established by the late Queen and works with young people across the world. Each year the Trust presents global awards to young people who are considered exceptional changemakers in their communities.
This year was special as it commemorated what would have been Her late Majesty’s 100th birthday. The awards celebrate the late Queen’s enduring belief in the power of young people to strengthen communities and shape the future.
The QECT Young Leaders Awards for 2026 recognised 100 exceptional young changemakers from across 56 Commonwealth countries.
Ms. Inone, from Temotu Province, was selected through a highly competitive process from thousands of applications. The awards represent impactful work across education, environment, agriculture and health.
Ms Inone is the founder of the non-government organisation, ‘Greenergy Pacific’, that builds climate-smart villages. The aim is to drive sustainable community development by creating communities that can adapt to climate change.
Much of Greenergy’s work is centred on the remote areas of Temotu. It has laid water pipes and supply safe drinking water to over 3,000 people across 18 villages in Temotu as well as built solar-powered environmental education hubs in local schools.
British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, His Excellency Paul Turner, said:
“The 100 Young Leaders Awards represent the very best of the Commonwealth. Sharon’s work perfectly captures the spirit of the late Queen’s Awards, recognising the energy and innovation of young people and how they can transform their communities”.
Similar ceremonies to the one yesterday in Honiara take place across Commonwealth countries with British High Commissions celebrating the achievements of young leaders.
British High Commission Honiara Press Release
